Hello,
My name is Ryan and I would greatly appreciate your advice regarding my current predicament.
To give you some background – I have never been a runner, however, I have been doing Crossfit starting strength for about 4 months now, and after hearing about barefoot running, wanted to compliment my lifting with some natural running.
About 4 weeks ago I purchased a pair of Vibram Bikila LS shoes and some Merrel Barefoot Trail Gloves to wear on a daily basis. Being impatient and irresponsible, I jumped into running 30 minutes a day with my Vibrams, alternating days for about a week. My feet and calves were killing me, but I felt like I was going somewhere, and I loved it! However, 3 weeks ago (Sunday, September 25 to be exact), my right ankle started to get incredibly sore and inflamed. For about a week, I had a bad limp as I walked around on my sprained right ankle, and the bottom of my right foot also began to hurt. It has been 3 weeks now, like I said, and my ankle and Achilles tendon are in substantially better shape. However, I believe I have developed plantar faciitis on my right foot, as my arch towards the front of my foot, and occasionally near the heel will start to hurt. It has been about a week since I have definitely pinpointed my right foot pain as plantar faciitis, however, it is not incredibly terrible or incapacitating.
For the past week, every morning before I get up I stretch my right foot and massage it to prevent maximum damage from occurring when I get out of bed. Throughout the day, my right foot will have a dull pain, and I constantly stretch it.
I have had to forego any sort of squats or power lifts that use my feet, because I fear that I will continue to hurt my right foot. I have also ceased running for the time being.
What I am wondering is:
1. Since I became injured, I have still worn my Merrel barefoot shoes and Vibrams on a daily basis. I no longer wear sneakers when walking – I wear my minimalist shoes for walking. Am I doing myself more harm than good by doing this?
2. It has been 2 weeks since I have noticed my plantar pain. I will NOT get shots or take any symptom relieving medication. What can I do to benefit my healing?
3. Assuming it is okay for me to continue to wear minimalist shoes during the healing process, and knowing that I will not be running while I heal, should I expect to eventually fully heal? I plan to join Air Force ROTC next fall, and pray that my plantar faciitis will heal before then, as it is a disqualifying injury.
I greatly appreciate the time you have taken in helping me in this matter. I fully recognize that it was my impatience in building up the strength to begin barefoot running. All I desire is to heal properly and make the best decisions to enable me to have another chance to do this properly again.
Sincerely,
Ryan
My name is Ryan and I would greatly appreciate your advice regarding my current predicament.
To give you some background – I have never been a runner, however, I have been doing Crossfit starting strength for about 4 months now, and after hearing about barefoot running, wanted to compliment my lifting with some natural running.
About 4 weeks ago I purchased a pair of Vibram Bikila LS shoes and some Merrel Barefoot Trail Gloves to wear on a daily basis. Being impatient and irresponsible, I jumped into running 30 minutes a day with my Vibrams, alternating days for about a week. My feet and calves were killing me, but I felt like I was going somewhere, and I loved it! However, 3 weeks ago (Sunday, September 25 to be exact), my right ankle started to get incredibly sore and inflamed. For about a week, I had a bad limp as I walked around on my sprained right ankle, and the bottom of my right foot also began to hurt. It has been 3 weeks now, like I said, and my ankle and Achilles tendon are in substantially better shape. However, I believe I have developed plantar faciitis on my right foot, as my arch towards the front of my foot, and occasionally near the heel will start to hurt. It has been about a week since I have definitely pinpointed my right foot pain as plantar faciitis, however, it is not incredibly terrible or incapacitating.
For the past week, every morning before I get up I stretch my right foot and massage it to prevent maximum damage from occurring when I get out of bed. Throughout the day, my right foot will have a dull pain, and I constantly stretch it.
I have had to forego any sort of squats or power lifts that use my feet, because I fear that I will continue to hurt my right foot. I have also ceased running for the time being.
What I am wondering is:
1. Since I became injured, I have still worn my Merrel barefoot shoes and Vibrams on a daily basis. I no longer wear sneakers when walking – I wear my minimalist shoes for walking. Am I doing myself more harm than good by doing this?
2. It has been 2 weeks since I have noticed my plantar pain. I will NOT get shots or take any symptom relieving medication. What can I do to benefit my healing?
3. Assuming it is okay for me to continue to wear minimalist shoes during the healing process, and knowing that I will not be running while I heal, should I expect to eventually fully heal? I plan to join Air Force ROTC next fall, and pray that my plantar faciitis will heal before then, as it is a disqualifying injury.
I greatly appreciate the time you have taken in helping me in this matter. I fully recognize that it was my impatience in building up the strength to begin barefoot running. All I desire is to heal properly and make the best decisions to enable me to have another chance to do this properly again.
Sincerely,
Ryan
